The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-20
MIR. Blaine's Candidacy.

TO the Editor of the indianapolis Journals
It must be conceded that in all that distinctly
constitutes Republican Mr.. Blaine stands pre-
eminent first among the foremost 1t must be
further concsded that his public life and private
character are [above reproach. It must be con-
coded further that he made excellent run in
1884; but it must be also conceded that he failed
of an election. Should we nominate him agan7
Certainly not. First, because he has had one
fair chance and failed, and there have been
new developments that indicate any increaae of
strength AT any point The personal animosi-
ties which defeated him in New York yet re-
main in full force. They will have to be met.
Secondly, there is a repuenance the part of
the American people against anything that
looks like man worship. It was personal
objection to General Grant that made the peo-
pie despise the attempt to put him on the track
for the third term. It was the national horror
Of any sentiment that indicates that any
one man is necessity Almost any good Wing
could have been elected 10 1874. but the people
had got tired of the perpetual candidacy Of
Henry Clay. He had come forward, or been
put forward for twenty years. The old obiec-
toEs remained and new ones arose every
cessive campaign without sin gle heroic act to
redeem them, and he failed, though the persona
confront this sentiment His stalwart utter
ances on the tariff will not neutraze this, so
that other things being. equal. he enters the
race at q disadvantage He must meet the in
fiuence of one defeat and of q standing candi-
dacy OF nearly twenty years; things which no
man has ever met successfully and never WILL
unless the new canvass is emphasized by
thing more heroic than a philippe the Presi-
dents message, cabled from France at great ex-
pense-
But other things not equal. The drift of
public sentiment, greatly increased by thousand
events, is overwhelmingly against him. To
extent that no man could foresee, four years
ago, the popular demand is that the saloon
must 60. Now. remotely as this question
touches national politics, the people IN
mood to admire heroes. Mr.. Blaine is Pro-
hibitionist His testimony and his influence
has been for Prohibition in Maine for quarter
of a century, that, under circumstances
can he expect the support of the saloon. But
when in 1884 the people of Maine were called
vote on the question, he lodged it. The i'm
mediate result was that more Prohibition
would have carried that State for
him. People love heroes, and hate
skulkers Mr.. Blaine is not hero He has not
the courage of his convictions. To this must be
added another element of weakness, and this is
equally against John Sherman of Ohio. Wheth-
they wise or not, the temperance people
Of the United States are almost q unit against
the tax on inroxicants, whether on the manu-
facture, or the sale, the wealthy and most
dangerous class of liquor dealers are for the tax.
Mr. Blaineis position on this is unequivocal
Now nothing that We can do will disband the
Prohibition party. Like the typhoid fever it
must run its course" but need not, we
ought not create perpetuate any breeder of
the disease, If We know it. and sewer gas
more certainly breeds typhoid fever than the
nomination of Mr.. Blaine will breed third party
men, while 1t will not concilliate single saloon
ist. Z. l.. SEE.